Airmanship

Wednesday morning was dedicated to a preview of all the USAFA airmanship programs. And once again, Graham seemed to have evaded the camera. The basic cadets were able to see demonstrations from Jump, Soaring, and Powered Flight segments of their future USAFA training.

Jump is the only program in the entire world where the first jump is an unassisted freefall. Because of this unique difference all students, cadet or staff who go through this program will have roughly 40 hours of ground training before their first jump. Graham intends to do this. I just hope he doesn’t tell me the day….as I won’t sleep.

Cadet volunteers who meet stringent physical requirements can enroll in the basic freefall parachute program, normally during the summer after their fourth-class (freshman) year. Completing five freefall jumps earns them the Air Force basic parachute wings. Cadets from the basic freefall course may then be selected as parachute/jumpmaster trainees during their sophomore year. Graduates of this course become official members of the Air Force Parachute Team, “The Wings of Blue”, and serve as the primary instructors for the basic freefall course.  Juniors and Seniors also participate in advance skydiving activities including international demonstrations at airshows and other venues, as well as individual and team competitions at the collegiate and national level.

The Cadets who complete the Soaring program and get their wings are the Air Force's youngest instructor pilots. During their fourth-class academic year, the majority of cadets will participate in the Introduction to Soaring Program, which includes four glider flights and the opportunity for aerobatic flight.  Additionally, during the summer before their third-class (sophomore) year, they can enroll in Basic Soaring, which consists of 14 glider sorties with the opportunity for solo flight (depending on proficiency).  Graduates of Basic Soaring are eligible to apply to become Cadet Soaring Instructor Pilots (IP).  Those selected complete a year-long upgrade program during the third-class academic year, earning their G-Wings and becoming the “Youngest IPs in the Air Force”. Cadet IPs conduct 95% of all glider flight instruction and hone invaluable instructor and leadership skills in a flight-line environment.

Powered Flight is a capstone course that serves as a culmination of a cadet’s aviation education. Cadets who are interested have the opportunity to participate in the Academy’s Powered Flight Program. Using T-53s, military instructors provide a basic introduction to Air Force pilot training and the experience of powered flight. Based on proficiency, approximately 50% of these students will solo. The training includes ground and flight instruction under an Air Education and Training Command (AETC) flying syllabus.

All of these programs are available to them as cadets and coverage in all of them would begin next summer. As Graham tested positive for color blindness, he is not eligible to pilot.